Wednesday, August 17, 2011

FIRST PHILIPPINE FASHION BALL

I got the invitation to the Philippine Fashion Ball in an understated white envelope, inside: a simple white card with my name handwritten on it. What got my attention was that aside from it being obviously a fashion event, there were no sponsors printed on the card. Clean borders without any logos! That's ultra rare for a fashion party--not unless of course that party was a private one thrown by a non commercial sector. So my thought balloon was: CLASSSSSS!! Di kelangan ng sponsors??!! Syempre, that made me even more curious. What was it? Who's throwing it? Anong ganap?!! So i trotted off to Mother P's desk and asked, are we going to this ball? And she goes, yah, I'm presenting something. Bonggah! May awards pa. CURIOUS!!!!

So anyway, didn't ask any more question, I guess we had to wait till the night itself to see what the whole thing was about. First thing first, had to have an outfit made. racked my brain for silhouettes to wear--should be easy given that the theme was black and white--but no!!! Ang hirap! Didn't want to do black coz that was so predictable. So white nalang, pero what design?!

On the night itself we had makeup done at Paulines. Thanks to MAC's Owen Sarmiento and Byron Velasquez. I wanted my signature smoky eyes, which believe it or not, I can't do myself. Go figure. I know, diba? And pale lips.
P1010544
And then matched with the outfits, Ta-dah!! Linear pattern bustier, fit-and-flare dress on Pauline by Francis Libiran and me in a pleated ruff-neck dress with cape by Jun Escario. Thanks Ma!
P1010546
Got to the Peninsula and was happy to see that everyone miling around were ALL dressed fit for a ball. Bumped into dear friends Marlon Rivera and Robi Lolin.
P1010555
Mark Nicdao in this ultraslim suit, again, by Marlon Rivera.
P1010557
No need for introductions.
P1010559
And then Pam walks in in this stunning dress thats too hot! How do you wear anything underneath that landscape of sheer? It's not like you can liquify unwanted bulges in real life! This is toned physique at its best. RRowr.
P1010561
Model Jasmine Maierhoffer in feathers and tiered flounce.
P1010563
Jeweler Joyce Makitalo, surprisingly wearing an OS bone necklace along with her own creation.
P1010564
Mond.
P1010570
Georgina in Sassa Jimenez.
P1010572
Candid yan. Haha.
P1010578
Gorgeous couple Fatima and Hideo. Hideo won best dressed male of the night. Didn't get to ask who he was wearing though.
P1010573
Designer Noel Crisostomo's muses: Jessica, Natasha, Michelle
P1010580
Tim with his models: Justin and Jade
P1010584
Liz in couture. She looks fittingly beautiful with the whole feel of the place. AC says this dress is very unforgiving, I agree. But Liz rocks its socks out. Which means her current frame is perfect. Model size lang mads??!! Haha. Dress by Dubai based designer Ezra Santos.
P1010586
P1010587
And guess who won best dressed female of the night? Hahahaha. Thats my trophy. As you've noticed, I've taken out my belt. Now what do you think is better, AC goes: "You need to cinch." (refer to second picture) and Vince goes: "Mas fashyon and a-line!". What do you think?
P1010591
Heres a full look of my gown sans the belt. I thank whoever chose me because obviously, this is NOT typical best dressed fodder.
It's anti-cling. Anti-skin. Anti-shape. Anti everything. And yet I was awarded the huge-ass bottle of Belvedere. (So now you know who's the sponsor. Haha)

I hope you don't mind me putting in this quote from Raf Simons in his latest Elle Magazine interview: "Let's say you are in an environment where 50 women are dressed in mini-dresses, body stretch, or something with a clear accentuation of the body, and then there is this woman who is very much the opposite--she would have a white shirt on, say, and a huge, couture inspired skirt. Me, as a person, automatically I would be much more attracted to that woman, because she has a fascinating and different approach. She stands against all others. I think, Who is she? What is she about? What's her psychology? Why does she do this?"

So I'm thinking, it must have been an artist or a creative thinker who chose me, or someone with a really broad sense of aesthetics? Whoever you are, thank you. It feels good when being atypical and unconventional actually gets a bit of credit. Heeeeh. (photo credit: Mark Alvarez)
Mark Alvarez photography
Mark, Pauline, Jake
P1010592
That flash means serious business.
P1010598
I was interviewed that night by ETC and they asked me what my favorite gown was so far. If I had seen Jo-Ann Bitagcols outfit by Joji Loren, I would have said that it was this one.
P1010603
Kim, Myrhh, Boop.
P1010605
Eug, Dong, Vince.
P1010606
Lotho who wears the many hats and the only Comme des Garcon outfit.
P1010607
Erwan.
P1010610
Davao based designer Dodjie Batu.
P1010611
Charmaine and Julius.
P1010613
Etong mga fashion rebels talaga! Ayaw mag black and white! Liquid bronze lang on Nix.
P1010614
Mich, i soooooper love that blue ribbon hat.
P1010616
Tessa.
P1010617
At ang pasabog ng gabing yown. The almost naked, stylist Pam Quinones and Anne Curtis both dressed by Rajo Laurel. Phhhhaaaaaaak!!! Sila na.
P1010609
Definitely a night for the industriya. Fun, fun, FUN! 2am and the bar still wasn't dry! I would have taken more photos but my camera died at about midnight. Na Cinderella lang ako dun. KAINIS. least all the photos didnt turn into pumpkins. Heeh.
To Keren Pascual, Noel Manapat and the rest of your team who made the party possible, it ROCKED!!

Monday, August 15, 2011

SATURDAY NIGHT OUT

Glad that I can post this today, two days (not bad) after i took the photos. Hidden agenda: Its the first Philippine Fashion Ball tonight at the Peninsula. And I'm thinking I'll be taking heaps of photos so might as well upload whatever images that I have on archive. Not that I'm saying its a lot, it's actually just Saturday night, but still, don't want it to pile up like all my fashion week photos na anong nangyari? Walaye.

So yes, not much events as of late but we have three for this week. So watch the space as I'm flooding it with images--Fashion Ball tonight, Kiehls 160th anniversary tomorrow. That should be a cool contrast--as that calls for vintage as oppose to glamour.

Anyhoo, Saturday was blocked off for Penny, a 630 dinner at my favorite haunt Chihuahua. She's never been so decided to have spicy Mexican to start the night. That dinner lasted a good 4 hours, with chika, catching up and four dishes in between: tacos, burritos, chili and nacho grande, and 8 margaritas (they're the best!) and a beer. Penny tips the alcohol scale by a beer and a margarita half. I only drank 3 and half before pulling out the i-have-to-drive card.

Good times!

Can't help but take a photo of Penny's personalized Cambridge. Cooot! Services available at Madison Power Plant.
P1010513
Heres Penny! So effortlessly purty! She actually has her own Penny fan club care of Preview best dressed. Case in point, when we were outside the resto smoking, i introduced her to an acquaintance and he goes: "Oh my God! Penny! I love you!! You're like my favorite in the best dressed list!!" Hah. Enough said.
P1010516
Her signature style? Button downs with atypical details.
P1010517
With a bit of masculine twist.
P1010519
Bumped into newly enagaged creative powerhouse of everywhereweshoot, Garovs and Ryan.
P1010522
And we thought we'd call it a night at 11pm. But nooooo... it was a house party at Robby Carmonas. With matching blue lights!!
Guests: Rajo.
P1010523
Mic of Chanel Vietnam. They're now also opening Louboutins. Bakeeeeeet?? Waaaah.
P1010524
The Host.
P1010529
Nix.
P1010532
Dong.
P1010534
Rhett, Marlon, Glen.
P1010540
The End.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I NEED NEW ASSISTANTS.

If that isn't straight to the point enough, let me say it again, I NEED NEW PERSONAL ASSISTANTS ASAP. (Two slots open) Please send CVs with the title: ASSISTANT to stylesamurai.stylesamurai@gmail.com.

And on that note, Preview Special Projects is also looking for a new Managing Editor. You can send CVs through the email above.

MCQUEENS

I. Die.
Spring Summer 2011 on Liz.
P1010503

DC TO EAIRTH

Eeeeek, I soooper missed Issy! Fresh from New York and too busy to see me *pout*, we only touched base recently because her sister Jojo will be here for a three week vacation. A bit of history: When Issy and I were still single, we were each others wingwoman. We'd hit the town three times a week--mind you, not for boys--but to drink and dance. But we got into relationships around the same time so that killed big night outs, free time now is spent either catching up on sleep or having quiet dinners. Ugh. How boring. So this instant girls night was an interesting break in the pattern. It wasn't really hard to get back to my rhythm though, wear something short, add a touch of edge, and wear my highest heels. Bam! Grab, phone, credit card, car keys, and we're off!

Jojo and Issy both in love-their-own Eairth. I swear I look too pale when I'm beside the Dizons. Ugh.
P1010469
P1010482
P1010489
P1010496

GOODBYE IWI

Our Deputy Managing Editor for special projects Eloise Alba--one of the most chica girls I know--left already. To Canada to be with her fiance. It was a hard decision since she had a budding career here and the future was bright, while Canada remains uncertain, but she once told me, "I won't regret anything if I choose love." So ako, bow. It takes courage and trust to leave stability and face something new with the one that you love. So good luck Iwi, we will miss you.
P1010407
Deputy Managing Editors unite! Lyca of Preview and Eloise of Preview Special Projects.
P1010409
The team. Well, sort of.
P1010413
P1010433
P1010454
P1010459
Goodluck!!! Elle Canada na itooohhhhh!!!!
P1010463

I SEE SPOTS

And I'm not even dizzy. Remember my previous post about CARE DIVAS? Well, we got to the theater and there were 9 of us (as of last count) wearing animal print! How crazy ees dut? Kalurky, least it wasn't the: oh-my-god-we-have-the-same outfit shit, we were all rocking it individually. Thank God. And mega pa witty pa ako kay Vince, the reason why we were all in skins was because the play was sponsored by PETA. But then as it turns out, it wasn't the Ethical Treatment of Animals pala, but the Educational Theater Association. Heeeeeh. My bad. It would have been witty though, aminin mo.

Okay lets start with the count then:
1. Laureen
P1010272
2. AC
P1010274
P1010275
3. Vianka
P1010276
4. Rach
P1010280
5. Liz
P1010282
6. Pauline
P1010288
7. Girl 1
P1010289
8. Girl 2
P1010292
9. Me. But i don't have a photo, sorry. Heeh.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

PREVIEW AUGUST 2011

photo
Your wish is our command! For those who wanted an alternative face on the cover--besides favorite celebrities--we've placed a super on this month! Ford supermodel of the WORLD Danica Magpantay shows what it takes to break it in the modeling capital of New York. And it's not only one super showing of her powers, Chat Almarvez and Charo Ronquillo are also inside in our cover feature all wearing Jerome Salaya Ang. Plus we've segued that to the best collections from Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2011--reworked Preview style. Yep, its all about fashion this month baby! (like there ever was a time when it wasn't, ahehehe) Plus products, features and editorials that's worth all your glorious one hundred fifty bucks.

And not that I'm playing favorites, but then this cover is darker, edgier and fiercer than most. I <3/like/love. What do you guys think?

Monday, August 1, 2011

BDOTW OR BEST DRESSED OF THE WEEK

Goes to Ge! Wheee! Okay, i will try to pick a best dressed every week. Good luck nalang diba? I can't even update my blog weekly may pa best dressed, best dressed pa akong nalalaman. Eh bat ba. Basta, I like. I just wish i can photograph as much subjects as I can given my schedule. Waaaaah. But yes, I will try my bestest. *squinty eyed and determined*

Ge explains that his outfit is authentic vintage. Taken from his moms baul. I'm a fan of pattern on pattern and this is how you do it right. Pick a color and use that as a base to complement the top and bottom. Love that chain print on the trousers too, Chanel circa 90s?
P1000900